S. F. Prescott

Suspenseful and dark!

HANNAH MORRISSEY studied English and Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Her first novel, Hello, Transcriber, was inspired by her experience as a police transcriber. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two pugs.

Published October 31st, 2023.

I’d never read any of Hannah Morrissey’s books before picking this one up and was unaware that it’s the third book in the Black Harbor series. Regardless, once I started reading, I was hooked immediately. I can’t wait to pick up her other two, Hello, Transcriber, and The Widowmaker. This thriller gave off Mare of Easttown vibes, with a gritty small town setting in Wisconsin. I loved the details she added about Rainbow Row and other eerie locations known by locals for harboring dark histories. It created an immersive setting and added depth to the story.

The two protagonists, Axel and Rowan, were intriguing and different in so many ways. I definitely enjoyed Rowan’s POV and her profession as a medical examiner—something I rarely read get to about. The supporting characters were well fleshed out and I definitely didn’t see the twist coming. Morrissey’s voice is engaging, making this an easy read with a steady pace.

For readers who enjoy dark procedurals filled with twists and suspense.

Synopsis:

On a bone-chilling October night, Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp investigates the death of her daughter’s best friend. Hours later, the tragedy hits even closer to home when she makes a devastating discovery—her daughter, Chloe, is gone. But, not without a trace.

A morbid mosaic of clues forces Rowan and her husband to question how deeply they really knew their daughter. As they work closely to peel back the layers of this case, they begin to unearth disturbing details about Chloe and her secret transgressions…details that threaten to tear them apart.

Amidst the noise of navigating her newfound grief and reconciling the sins of her past, an undeniable fact rings true for Rowan: karma has finally come to collect.